England's head coach Steve Borthwick is reportedly considering a tactical shake-up that mirrors strategies used by the Springboks and France, specifically the controversial 7-1 split among replacements, which loads the bench with forwards. This approach, first employed by South Africa in their 2023 World Cup warm-ups, has been adopted by France with notable success in the recent Six Nations, decimating Italy, Ireland, and Scotland. Now, Borthwick, with a plethora of back-row talent at his disposal, seems poised to experiment with this setup in the upcoming season.
The risky strategy means England would field only one back among the substitutes, a move that hinges on having versatile players capable of covering multiple positions. Flanker Ben Earl and number eight Alex Dombrandt have previously filled in as centres, suggesting England's readiness to adapt on the fly. Borthwick expressed confidence in this approach, stating,
“Longer-term, with how many good back-rowers we've got – the list is long – it makes sense to have as many of those players in the squad, in a six-two, potentially a seven-one, as possible, especially when we have the positional versatility that we have,”
following a series win against Argentina.This innovation has its critics, including All Blacks legend Sir John Kirwan and Scotland’s coach Gregor Townsend, who argue it undermines the quality of the game and player safety. However, World Rugby has no immediate plans to restrict the strategy, as current research does not show a negative impact on player welfare.
Another aspect of the Springbok strategy that Borthwick is exploring is having props who can double as hookers, a tactic that could significantly impact squad flexibility. The England coach referenced the adaptability of players like Deon Fourie and noted,
“We are exploring the possibility, as we develop some of these younger props, of them being able to play hooker, too,”
underscoring a proactive approach to team composition ahead of major tournaments.As the rugby world watches, Borthwick’s potential pivot to a forward-heavy bench could either revolutionize England’s game plan or invite further scrutiny into the evolving strategies of international rugby.